The federal district court found no duty to defend claims of faulty workmanship under certain policies issued to the insured contractor, but rejected arguments made by the Insurers regarding various provisions of the general liability and excess policies. St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co. v. Bodell Consr. Co., 2022 U.S. Dist.
faulty workmanship
No Duty to Defend Construction Defect Claims
The court determined the insurer had no duty to defend construction defect claims asserted against the insured. Pa. Nat'l Mut. Cas. Ins. Co. v. River City Roofing, 2022 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 38226 (E.D. Va. March 3, 2022).
Branch Builds, Inc, was the general contractor for Shock Valley View Genesis, LLC…
Construction Defect Claims Not Covered
The court found that the insured's negligent acts causing damage to only the structure of the home it built were not covered under the CGL policy. Westfield Ins. Co. v. Zaremba Builders II LLC, 2022 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 36189 (N.D. Ill. March 2, 2022).
Zaremba contracted to build a house…
Insurer Must Defend Faulty Workmanship Claims
The court determined that the insurer improperly denied a defense for construction defect claims made against the insured. Amerisure Mut. Ins. Co. v. McMillin Tex. Homes, 2022 U.S. Dist. LEIS 40363 (W.D. Texas March 8, 2022).
McMillin was a developer, general contractor and home seller. It constructed multiple homes in…
Prior Occurrence Exclusion Bars Coverage for Construction Defects
While the insured's faulty work constituted an occurrence under Florida law, a prior occurrence exclusion barred coverage. Pro-Tech Caulking & Waterproofing v. TIG Ins. Co., 2022 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 12319 (S.D. Fla. Jan. 19, 2022).
Pro-Tech was a waterproofing subcontractor for construction of a oceanfront condominium building and was responsible…
Fifth Circuit Finds Duty to Defend Construction Defect Case
Reversing the judgment of the district court, the Fifth Circuit found the insurer owed a defense in a construction defect case. Siplast, Inc. v. Emplrs Mut. Cas. Co., 2022 U.S. App. LEXIS 795 (5th Cir. Jan. 11, 2022).
The Archdiocese of New York sued various parties for a roofing project…
Michigan Court of Appeals Remands Construction Defect Case
After its prior decision holding there was no coverage for faulty workmanship was remanded by the Michigan Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals remanded to the trial court. Skanska United States Bldg. v. M.A.P. Mech. Contrs., 2021 Mich. App. LEXIS 7336 (Mich. Ct. App. Dec. 28, 2021). The post summarizing the…
Eleventh Circuit Finds No Coverage for Faulty Workmanship Claims
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgment to the insurer on the general contractor's claims for damages due to faulty workmanship. Tricon Dev. of Brevard v. Nautilus Ins. Co., 2021 U.S. App. LEXIS 27317 (11th Cir. Sept .10, 2021).
Tricon was the general contractor for a…
Contractor Entitled to Continued Defense Against Allegations of Faulty Construction
The U.S. District Court found that the contractor was entitled to a defense in the underlying state court action. Pa. Nat'l Mut. Cas. Ins. Co. v. Zonko Builders, 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 168855 (D. Del. Sept. 7, 2021).
Zonko was the general contractor for building the Salt Meadows Townhomes Condominium.
Wisconsin Court of Appeals Re-affirms American Girl To Find Coverage for Damage Caused by Subcontractors
The trial court's finding of no occurrence and no property damage due to faulty workmanship was reversed by the appellate court. No. 5 Walworth v. Engerman Contracting, Inc., 2021 Wis. App. LEXIS 401 (Wis. Ct. App, July 30, 2021).
Engerman was the general contractor on a construction project at…